Diet Changes When Taking Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Diet Changes When Taking Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)


This medicine is an antibiotic to treat an infection. Follow the diet changes below to help the medicine work well in your body. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines you are taking. Include prescription and over the counter medicines, as well as any vitamins or herbal products you use.

When you take the medicine

  • Cipro can be taken with or without food.
  • Take Cipro with a full, 8-ounce glass of water or juice. 
    • Do NOT take this medicine with milk or calcium-fortified drinks like milk substitutes or orange juice.
    • Cipro can be taken with meals that contain dairy products, such as milk, cheese, or yogurt, but not alone with dairy products. Taking cipro alone with dairy products can make the medicine less effective.
  • Take Cipro at least 2 hours before and 6 hours after taking the below products. The calcium, iron, zinc, or magnesium in these products can limit the amount of the medicine that your body takes in to fight the infection.
    • Antacids
    • Multivitamins 
    • Calcium, iron, zinc, or magnesium supplements
    • Nutrition supplements ,such as Boost, Ensure, or Glucerna
  • Cipro can cause caffeine to build up in your system. Avoid caffeine while you are on this medicine. Caffeine is in products like coffee, tea, chocolate, and soft drinks like cola.
  • Drink at least 8, 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day while you are taking this medicine to help prevent kidney problems.

© 2008 – February 3, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.